A study was conducted to examine possible problems in the information dissemination of social aid programs for the poor. Two samples of 141 community leaders and 143 low-income families were selected from a New York county with a high percentage of households in relative poverty and a low percentage in relative affluence. Data gathered from the two samples by personal interview using structured questionnaires included information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, beliefs and attitudes, and communication behavior. Community leaders were found to be considerably more exposed to newspapers, magazines, and books than were the rural poor. Two obstacles to leader-client communication (through the printed word) were identified--money and motivation. Lack of funds prevented the poor from subscribing to newspapers and magazines, while lack of motivation accounted for their low interest in the content of farm bulletins. It is suggested that these disincentives might be dislodged or offset by the use of cost-free media that have motivational appeal. (CMV)